RV Parks Readying for Influx of ‘Winter Texans’

RV parks in the Rio Grande Valley expect to be full this Winter Texan season, based on a positive outlook from last year.

The Valley Morning Star, Harlingen, reported that a survey of Winter Texans last season, conducted by the University of Texas-Pan American, found that 95.8% planned to return to the Valley this year.

With the Winter Texan season fast approaching, local RV parks are open and ready for their guests. And some Winter Texans have arrived a bit early.

Larry and Sharon Schnulle, from Missouri, have been coming to the Valley for seven years. The couple will be staying for about six months at Sunshine RV Resort in Harlingen.

“I retired and that’s allowed us to come a bit earlier than last year,” Sharon said.

Joe Ellis, from Massachusetts, has been coming to Sunshine RV Park for 13 years. He came down earlier than usual because of the cold weather starting at home, he said. He will stay for about six months.

He said his love of the area stems from the culture of the Valley.

“We love the culture down here. They are very welcoming to us; they welcome us with open arms,” he said.